Can you believe we’re already more than a twelfth of the way through 2018? How are those New Year resolutions coming along? If they feel like a distant memory, you’re not alone. Making new habits is hard!

Loads of us plan to be ‘healthier’ in the coming year, rushing out to buy gym gear and stockpiling frozen fruit, only to find our gym kit languishing in the laundry and our blenders gathering dust come February.

So what does it take to make new habits stick? We’ve got 5 strategies to help you do just that (plus one delicious smoothie recipe to keep that ‘New Year, new you’ feeling for longer).

1.As someone on the internet once said, failing to plan is planning to fail.

If your goal is a vague, hand-wavy, half-baked suggestion to get fit or eat better, you’ll forget about it in a few weeks. What exactly are you going to do and by when? How will you track progress? Be specific. Put that fancy new planner to work.

2. You’re gonna do WHAT?

Make sure your goal is something you can actually do. Want to get the gym more often? Instead of saying you’ll go every day for an hour, how about aiming for ten minutes, 3 times a week? And once you’re there, chances are you’ll stay for longer. Reward please.

3. Get an ‘accountabilibuddy’ (yes, that’s a word)

Going public with your goals is a great way to stay on track. Even better – get a mate to do it with you. Whether it’s a little friendly competition or just some moral support, having a (bossy) buddy to team up with will make you more likely to succeed. Safety in numbers, right?

4. Don’t beat yourself up

So things didn’t go to plan today? No biggie, just get back in the game tomorrow. Give yourself a break if your willpower is waning. Motivation might get you started, but habit keeps you going. Now that’s deep.

5. Don’t even think about it

Did you know that new habits are easier if you link them to something you already do? For example, if your goal is to have a smoothie for breakfast more often, how about making it at the same time as your coffee? Every time you make your morning cuppa, you’ll automatically reach for the blender.

You can make that daily smoothie even easier with our no-thinking-required chocolate cherry blast (yep, here’s that recipe we promised):

Just throw some frozen cherries and a handful of spinach in the blender. Add 2 tablespoons of natural yoghurt, 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder, and a tablespoon of Pura liquid coconut oil for a rich, smooth texture that will keep you feeling full. Top up with a glug of almond milk, and drop in a mint leaf or two if you’re feeling fancy. Whizz and go!

Here’s to getting back on track with those New Year habits. And if you’ve got foodie goals this year, check out our recipes made with Pura coconut oil for some inspiration.